ukase

[yoo-keys, -keyz, yoo-keys, -keyz]

noun

1. (in czarist Russia) an edict or order of the czar having the force of law.

2. any order or proclamation by an absolute or arbitrary authority.

   Synonyms: fiat, decree, ruling, directive, edict

ukase

/ juːˈkeɪz /

noun

1. (in imperial Russia) an edict of the tsar

2. a rare word for edict

Word History and Origins

Origin of ukase¹

1720–30; < French < Russian ukáz, Old Russian ukazŭ, noun derivative of ukazati to show, indicate, assign, command, equivalent to u- prefix + kazati to show, order

Word History and Origins

Origin of ukase¹

C18: from Russian ukaz, from ukazat to command

Example Sentences

Trump has tried to evade those steps by purporting to rescind rules and regulations via executive orders, including 26 he issued on Inauguration Day, or via administrative ukases.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The restrictions that remain from that March 2020 ukase will wind down in February, at Garcetti’s request and with the council’s vote.

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He then issued a ukase banning tweets promoting several rival social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Mastodon — the latter an increasingly popular refuge for Twitter users repelled by Musk’s management.

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Seven school boards have filed suit to overturn the governor’s ukase, arguing that it violates the state constitution, which vests control of education in school boards.

Read more on Washington Post

No seeking statutory authority, no rulemaking and comment process, just a sudden ukase from on high.

Read more on Washington Post

Related Words

• act 
• announcement 
• directive 
• edict 
• injunction 
• instruction 
• judgment 
• law 
• order 
• proclamation 
• regulation 
• rule 
• ruling 
• statute